Moving Forward in 2025
Last year I took the leap to take what I love and turn it into a career. I may not have known exactly what I was doing or if it was a sensible choice but I decided to take a running jump before I could talk myself out of it. Was that the most sensible approach? A well thought out plan? Especially when there is a cost of living crisis? The answers to those questions are No, definitely not, and unfortunately yes. Despite all that I knew it was now or never for me.
As most of you know when you jump, or leap, into the deep end at a swimming pool there is a rush of adrenaline as you leap into the air then you have a few moments of calm and peace as you float before you break the surface of the water. After those glorious seconds of joy the first twinge of panic sets in and you are suddenly not sure which way you're facing, where you are, how deep the water is or where the edges of the pool are. It's natural to be slightly panicked at first but when you realise you can't find the answers immediately you have to find a way to tread water.
That's the best way I can explain what happened in 2024.
In February I leapt off what felt like the high board but was just the side of the pool and the adrenaline carried me through to April when I hit the water. May and the beginning of June was the moment of calm before the panic sets in. Then when you do panic, all the questions start up making you wonder if you shouldn’t have leapt. Maybe it would have been better to ease yourself into the shallow waters, paddle a bit first, then you’d at least know where the ladder was should you start to drown.
It took a bit of time and a whole lot of energy before I realised that I was successfully treading water! Which is where I am now, upright and keeping our head above the water but we need to learn to swim. That's the goal for 2025.
Now don’t get me wrong I have absolutely loved every minute of working for myself and bringing the Thoodles to life. I’m extremely privileged to be supported enough that it allows me to tread water for as long as I need to, whilst I figure out what is next for me and the Thoodles. I could not be a year into this endeavour and still be so excited about the future without both the support from my family and friends and the support from the people who have taken the Thoodles into their hearts!
Before I took the leap I was always worried about calling myself an artist or a creative and holding space for my weird little guys. But now? I’m not afraid to call myself an artist, the Thoodles deserve space to grow and find their audience. Our message is important and for how much the Thoodles have helped me I want to share that with everyone and bring some creative joy into everyone's lives.
So what’s next?
That dream however doesn’t actually pin down what's coming next. This year I have many ideas and goals I’d like to complete but these 3 are the main ones:
Finish the Comic Book. I’ve been working on a comic book/graphic novel since February 2024. It brings the origin of the Thoodles into a fun, heartwarming story that people can relate too and connect with.
I want to formally release Arfa. Arfa is the newest of my Thoodle friends. He's been sitting patiently waiting, sometimes appearing in artwork over the past few months. But he is ready to meet the masses (maybe a few at a time, he’s still a bit nervous)
Do more Workshops. Last year I was lucky enough to take the Thoodles with me to the Girl Guides. It led to an evening of complete chaos with paint and glitter but it was so much fun. Getting to bring the Thoodles and the act of creating them was a treat in many ways but something I’d love to get into more. (A blog post about the evening will be coming out soon)
So those are my main 3 Goals for 2025, and I’m telling them to you all so that you can hold me accountable!
I hope that this new year brings you fun, joy and so much creativity. Let's all learn to swim together!
Matt and the Thoodles
